Infant outcome in preterm pregnancies with absent umbilical end diastolic flow

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Aim: To compare the outcome of infants born at a different gestational ages with absent end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and those with gestational matched healthy controls. Methods: A group of 55 pregnancies and later on infants at Monash Medical Centre had AEDF investigated with a matched group of 55 for gestational age, date of birth and sex. Pre and perinatal outcome variables were retrospectively reviewed. The variables included daily surveillance of fetal wellbeing by biophysical profile. Results: Of 110 preterm infants, gestational age 24-34 weeks and birth weight 460-1500g 49/55 (89%) in AEDF group survived until discharge compared to 54/55 (99%) in the control group (P < 0.05). The infants in former group had a significantly lower birth weight with growth restriction, delivered by caesarean section, had intraventricular hemorrhage, stayed longer in hospital, required a longer duration of ventilation and easily developed chronic lung disease (p<0.05) Conclusion: This study reiterates that absent end-diastolic flow velocity is associated with a longer duration of hospital stay, higher mortality and morbidity during the neonatal period. Prenatal routine check to ascertain normalcy of umbilical blood flow should be promoted to inform planning within Health systems.